Retaining device for artificial dentures



Aug. 14, 1934. w. F. RICHARDS RETAINING DEVICE FOR ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed June 5, 1932 Patented Aug. 14, 1934 UNITE STATS RETAINING DEVICE FOR ARTIFICIAL DENTURES 4 Claims.

The invention has relation to retaining devices for artificial dentures, and has for its object to provide improved stabilization means for the lower artificial denture or plate, but applicable .5 .also to the upper plate and to partial artificial dentures.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts as set forth in the appended claims.

110 In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, Figure l is a bottom plan view of the upper plate showing the invention applied thereto; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lower plate showing the invention applied thereto; Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the lower plate with the invention applied thereto; Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a detail side view of the retaining device; Figure 6 is a detail plan view of the same; Figure '7 is .a fragmentary view of a partial lower plate having the invention applied thereto; Figure 8 is a side view of the same; Figure 9 is a detail per spective view of a modification of the invention, and Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 4 and showing the same modification.

In the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the artificial denture, the retaining device therefor being of elongated partial trough form, having a bottom 2, abutting against the artificial denture adjacent the bases of certain teeth thereof, a raised rim 3 located above said bottom extending along one side and the ends of said partial trough to inclose the same on three sides thereof, the other side being closed by the artificial denture including said teeth to form a complete trough.

The bottom 2 has an upward slant from the artificial denture towards said rim to thereby deepen the trough and raise said rim, the latter being rounded cross-sectionally and extending inwardly of and being undercut within said trough, as shown at 4. The rim 3 while slightly arched is substantially straight for the most part and has inturned curved ends 5, closing in the ends of the trough.

Preferably the retaining device extends from the second bicuspid somewhat past the last molar, such location being regarded as peculiarly adapted therefor. The retaining device is provided with a longitudinal attachment flange '7, which is joined to the bottom of the trough by a curved corner 8, suitable perforations being provided in said flange for securing screws or the like, although obviously any suitable securing or attachment means may be used. The curved corner 8 provides a longitudinal crevice 9 between the same and the artificial denture.

In the main form of the invention, the rim of the device is formed of the metal of the trough, integrally thereof, whereas in the modification of Figures 9 and 10, the rim of the device is formed of a separate wire 3, the end portions of which may be imbedded in the vulcanite.

In the functioning of the device, the fatty tissues of the cheeks exclusive of the muscular fibers thereof act to fill the aforesaid trough and to adhere to every nook and cranny thereof including the undercut crevice 4 of the marginal rim or wall, the crevice 9 between the bottom and the vulcanite, and the crevices of the teeth, thereby providing a frictonal hold to maintain the artificial denture stabilized. These tissues hook within the crevice of the undercut rim which is regarded as of special importance for stabilization. The rim of the device presents a substantially straight and extended cross-sectionally rounded edge to said tissues whereby the device is rendered tolerant to said tissues.

I claim:

1. The combination with an artificial denture, of a retaining device therefor comprising an elongated partial trough having a bottom abutting against the vulcanite and extending along the bases of a plurality of teeth thereof and a marginal wall extending along one side and the ends of said partial trough to inclose the same on three sides thereof, the artificial denture including said teeth closing said other side to form a complete trough, said marginal wall being substantially straight and having its said ends curved and inturned to the vulcanite.

2. The combination with an artificial denture, of a retaining device therefor comprising an elongated rearwardly flaring partial trough having a bottom abutting against the vulcanite and extending along the bases of a plurality of teeth thereof and a marginal wall extending along one side and the ends of said partial trough and inclosing the same on three sides, the artificial denture including said teeth closing the other side to form a complete trough, said marginal wall being rounded cross sectionally and extending inwardly of and being undercut within said trough.

3. A retaining device for artificial dentures, comprising an elongated partial trough having a bottom and a marginal wall extending along one side and the ends of said partial trough to inclose the same on three sides, said marginal wall being substantially straight and having its ends curved and inturned, and said bottom having an upward slant to said marginal wall.

4. A retaining device for artificial dentures,

5 comprising an elongated rearwardly flaring partial trough having a bottom and a marginal wall 

